By now quite a few Blues fans in the Twin Cities and outstate Minnesota have been hearing about the formation of a Blues Society. This brief article will serve: 1) as an update on our progress thus far; 2) to solicit input from the Blues community via a questionnaire: 3) to encourage anyone interested to join the volunteer efforts as the project develops.

The mission statement (as it now reads is: "The nonprofit (to be determined name) Blues Society, through volunteer efforts, will seek opportunities to celebrate, preserve, archive and document local blues music; to interpret the influence of this creative art form in our region; to provide learning opportunities related to blues music; to foster appreciation of this musical form; and to enhance - through fellowship, live events, and recognition of achievement - the existing blues environment in the State of Minnesota."

The task group has held two meetings during the month of December and things are coming together within a number of committees and groups. Among the topics the subgroups are looking into are such things as the legal implications of a non profit organization, registering with the state of Minnesota and the IRS, and related legal issues. Another group is contacting over one hundred different Blues Societies across the country for ideas on everything from fund raising efforts, size of the board of directors, election of officers, annual dues, educational programs like "Blues in the Schools," etc.

A link on the front page of Blues On Stage (www.mnblues.com) will take you to the webpage of the Minnesota Blues Society Task Force, there you will find the questionnaire mentioned above. Please take a few minutes to complete the online version or print and send it to the PO Box address. All the information collected will be reviewed and provide a foundation for the direction, interests and preferences of the area's Blues community. As the Society takes shape and becomes a reflection of that Blues community it is important to not only preserve Blues history, but is just as important to look forward to its future. There are discussions within the group that point to the potential and energy of a Blues Society based in the region: things like traveling to towns and locations away from the Twin Cities for meeting and performances. A "Beat the Winter Blahs" concert or performance, getting involved in the" Blues In the Schools" program, sponsoring a regional entry in the national Blues competition (held annually in Memphis) to mention a few ideas that have surfaced. Just as the Mississippi Delta is considered the home of the blues, the upper Mississippi's connection the Blues is significant; few places can claim to have Blues musicians and performers with the variety and depth that call this area home.

Next Task Force Meeting - 6:30 PM -- Jan. 6, 2002 -- at the Poodle on Lake Street. All are welcome! Questionnaire's can be found any most clubs around town, online at: www.gutbucketradio.com/mnblues
or request by mail: Blues Society Task Group, P.O. Box 580704, Minneapolis, MN 55458-0704
Email: mnblues@gutbucketradio.com. Visit the Task Force website for the next meeting if you can't make this one, to fill out the questionnaire, to join the email list, to join in the Discussion Board. This will be YOUR blues society so please join the task force or at least let them know what you would like to see a Blues Society accomplish in Minnesota.

Terry Marshall (Minnesota Blues Society Task Force)

This review is copyright © 2002 by Ray Stiles, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.